The Most Stunning Red-Carpet Comebacks

After two years of lying low (following the birth of her second child, Moses, in 2006), Paltrow strode confidently onto the red carpet in April to promote Iron Man in sky-high stilettoes and barely-there minidresses – like this Balmain lace number and 4-in. Alexander McQueen heels for the London premiere.

The girls are back! Sarah Jessica Parker, Kim Cattrall, Cynthia Nixon and Kristin Davis reunited in couture galore for the premiere of the much-buzzed about big-screen adaptation of their hit HBO series, which ended in 2004. Not to disappoint, Parker went into full Carrie mode – complete with a butterfly-adorned Philip Treacy hat – for the world premiere in London.

Even pregnancy couldn't keep this fashionista out of her killer heels or designer gowns. After giving birth to twins Max and Emme in February, the singer re-emerged three months later for the annual Metropolitan Museum of Art Costume Institute Gala in a body-hugging Alberta Ferretti gown – and reclaimed her style star status.

The show must go on! In the wake of splitting from longtime boyfriend Raffaelo Follieri – who was later arrested and convicted of fraud – the actress hit the press trail for Get Smart in one stunning look after another. And with costar Steve Carell helping to deflect questions about her ex, Hathaway went from tabloid fodder to the top of the best dressed lists in gowns like this sexy Marchesa number.

After Heath Ledger's tragic death in January, the actor's ex-girlfriend (and mother of his daughter, Matilda) stayed out of the public eye. Then, five months later, Williams stepped out of New York and onto the red carpet in Cannes, stunning in a 1926 vintage lace Chanel Haute Couture dress for the Adoration premiere.

She may have joked about wanting to but the Oscar winner welcomed baby girl Nahla Ariela in March. By June, she was showing off her enviable curves and ecstatic glow in a glittering Kaufman Franco halter dress at a tribute to Warren Beatty in Hollywood.

Returning to the site of 2007's disastrous performance couldn't have been easy for the beleaguered singer. But with the problems of the past year behind her, Spears stole the show – and took home three awards! – at the 2008 MTV Video Music Awards. In a sparkling Versace number, she finally looked like the Princess of Pop we all remember.

No baby weight here! Just two months after giving birth to daughter Sunday Rose, the new mom returned to the spotlight in a form-fitting Prada number at the National Movie Awards in London.

She quietly checked into rehab for undisclosed reasons at the beginning of the year. But in a stellar comeback just three months later, Mendes – a new spokesmodel for Calvin Klein – swept into the Costume Institute gala in a turquoise gown from the label.